Prison break: 174 inmates flee northern Haitian jail, one guard shot

Almost 200 inmates of a northern Haitian prison escaped after attacking the guards on 23 October.

174 inmates of Arcahaie prison - near capital Port-au-Prince - killed a guard and stole firearms, Reuters reported. The police have set up checkpoints on the roads near the prison and have detained several people without id cards.

However, it may be difficult to nab the escapees as the inmates of the prison do not wear uniforms.

The prison break occurred when some of the prisoners were bathing. The inmates broke into the area used by guards and stole at least five rifles and other weapons.

Haiti's Minister Of Justice, Camille Edouard Junior, told Reuters that one prisoner died after falling off a wall and hitting his head during the escape from the prison. "One guard was killed during the incident. Three prisoner were wounded, including one who died as a consequence of his wounds," he was quoted as saying.

The US embassy in Haiti issued a security message about "a violent prison break in Arcahaie," and advised its citizens to avoid the area.